Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. New Living Translation The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns. English Standard Version When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns, Berean Standard Bible Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns. King James Bible When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. New King James Version When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. New American Standard Bible When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people kept themselves hidden in caves, in crevices, in cliffs, in crypts, and in pits. NASB 1995 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits. NASB 1977 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits. Legacy Standard Bible Now the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed). Then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits. Amplified Bible When the men of Israel saw that they were in a tight situation (for their troops were hard-pressed), they hid in caves, in thickets, in cellars, and in [dry] cisterns (pits). Christian Standard Bible The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns. Holman Christian Standard Bible The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns. American Standard Version When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed), then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in coverts, and in pits. Contemporary English Version The Israelite army realized that they were outnumbered and were going to lose the battle. Some of the Israelite men hid in caves or in clumps of bushes, and some ran to places where they could hide among large rocks. Others hid in tombs or in deep dry pits. English Revised Version When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in holds, and in pits. GOD'S WORD® Translation When the Israelites saw they were in trouble because the army was hard-pressed, they hid in caves, in thorny thickets, among rocks, in pits, and in cisterns. Good News Translation Then they launched a strong attack against the Israelites, putting them in a desperate situation. Some of the Israelites hid in caves and holes or among the rocks or in pits and wells; International Standard Version When the men of Israel saw that they were in distress (for the people were in a tight spot), the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in crags, in tombs, and in pits. NET Bible The men of Israel realized they had a problem because their army was hard pressed. So the army hid in caves, thickets, cliffs, strongholds, and cisterns. New Heart English Bible When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were in a difficult situation), then the people hid themselves in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. Webster's Bible Translation When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed) then the people hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSeeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns. World English Bible When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were distressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in tombs, and in pits. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the men of Israel have seen that they are distressed, that the people have been oppressed, and the people hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. Young's Literal Translation And the men of Israel have seen that they are distressed, that the people hath been oppressed, and the people hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. Smith's Literal Translation And the men of Israel saw that a strait to him, for the people were pressed; and the people will hide in caves, and in thorn-bushes, and in rocks, and in towers, and in pits. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when the men of Israel saw that they were straitened, (for the people were distressed,) they hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in dens, and in pits. Catholic Public Domain Version And when the men of Israel had seen themselves to be in a narrowed position, they hid themselves in caves, and in out of the way places, and in rocks, and in hollows, and in pits (for the people were distressed). New American Bible When the soldiers saw they were in danger because the army was hardpressed, they hid themselves in caves, thickets, rocks, caverns, and cisterns. New Revised Standard Version When the Israelites saw that they were in distress (for the troops were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when the men of Israel saw them, they were afraid; so they hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in clefts and in pits. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the men of Israel saw and they were afraid, and they hid themselves from them in caves and in tunnels and under precipices and in chasms and in pits OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait--for the people were distressed--then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in holds, and in pits. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait so that they could not draw nigh, and the people hid themselves in caves, and sheepfolds, and rocks, and ditches, and pits. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context War with the Philistines…5Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven. 6Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns. 7Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, remained at Gilgal, and all his troops were quaking in fear.… Cross References Judges 6:2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. Judges 10:8-9 who that very year harassed and oppressed the Israelites, and they did so for eighteen years to all the Israelites on the other side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites. / The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim, and Israel was in deep distress. 1 Samuel 14:11 So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!” 1 Samuel 14:22 When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit. 1 Samuel 23:19 Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon? 1 Samuel 23:23 Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.” 1 Samuel 24:3 Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave. 2 Samuel 17:9 Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 2 Kings 6:2 Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha. Isaiah 2:19 Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. Isaiah 2:21 They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. Jeremiah 16:16 But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks. Jeremiah 48:28 Abandon the towns and settle among the rocks, O dwellers of Moab! Be like a dove that nests at the mouth of a cave. Hebrews 11:38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground. Matthew 24:16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Treasury of Scripture When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. in a strait Exodus 14:10-12 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD… Joshua 8:20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. Judges 10:9 Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed. in caves 1 Samuel 14:11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. 1 Samuel 23:19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? 1 Samuel 24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. Jump to Previous Army Caves Cellars Cisterns Cliffs Cover Coverts Cracks Critical Danger Distressed Hard Hard-Pressed Hid Hide High Holds Holes Israel Oppressed Pits Places Pressed Rocks Situation Strait Straits Strongholds Themselves Thickets Tombs Troubled WoodsJump to Next Army Caves Cellars Cisterns Cliffs Cover Coverts Cracks Critical Danger Distressed Hard Hard-Pressed Hid Hide High Holds Holes Israel Oppressed Pits Places Pressed Rocks Situation Strait Straits Strongholds Themselves Thickets Tombs Troubled Woods1 Samuel 13 1. Saul's select band3. He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines 5. The Philistines' great army 6. The distress of the Israelites 8. Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices 11. Samuel reproves him 17. The three raiding parties of the Philistines 19. The policy of the Philistines, to allow no blacksmith in Israel Seeing that they were in danger The Israelites recognized the imminent threat posed by the Philistine army, which was described earlier in the chapter as being numerous and well-equipped. This awareness of danger reflects the Israelites' vulnerability and fear, a recurring theme in their history when they turned away from God. The Philistines were a constant threat during this period, often oppressing Israel due to their superior military technology, including iron chariots and weapons. because their troops were hard-pressed the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, who was leading the Israelites during this time of crisis. 2. Philistines The enemies of Israel, who were a constant threat and had gathered a formidable army against Israel. 3. Israelites The people of Israel, who were under Saul's leadership and facing the threat of the Philistine army. 4. Caves, Thickets, Rocks, Cellars, Cisterns Various hiding places where the Israelites sought refuge due to fear and desperation. 5. Michmash The location where the Philistines had gathered their forces, creating a sense of impending doom for the Israelites. Teaching Points Fear and FaithThe Israelites' response to fear was to hide, which is a natural human reaction. However, as believers, we are called to place our trust in God rather than in our own means of protection. Leadership in Crisis Saul's leadership is put to the test in this passage. It serves as a reminder of the importance of godly leadership that seeks God's guidance in times of trouble. Spiritual Refuge While physical hiding places provide temporary safety, true refuge is found in God. Believers are encouraged to seek Him as their ultimate source of protection and strength. The Consequences of Disobedience This event is part of a larger account where Saul's disobedience leads to his downfall. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands. Community in Crisis The Israelites' scattered hiding reflects a lack of unity. In times of crisis, the body of Christ is called to come together, support one another, and seek God collectively. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 13:6?2. How does 1 Samuel 13:6 illustrate the Israelites' fear and lack of faith? 3. What can we learn about trusting God during difficult times from this passage? 4. How does this verse connect to other instances of fear in the Bible? 5. How can we apply the Israelites' response to our own spiritual challenges today? 6. What steps can we take to strengthen our faith when feeling "hard pressed"? 7. Why did the Israelites hide in caves and thickets in 1 Samuel 13:6? 8. How does 1 Samuel 13:6 reflect the Israelites' faith in God during times of fear? 9. What historical context led to the Israelites' fear in 1 Samuel 13:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 13? 11. Who was Obed-Edom in the Bible? 12. (1 Chronicles 13:9 vs. 2 Samuel 6:6) Why does Chronicles call the threshing floor 'Chidon,' while Samuel labels it 'Nachon,' and which is correct? 13. How does 1 Samuel 13:1-2 reconcile with Acts 13:21, which states Saul reigned for forty years? 14. If Saul recognized David's righteousness (1 Samuel 24:16-21), why did hostilities continue in later chapters, suggesting inconsistency? What Does 1 Samuel 13:6 Mean Seeing that they were in danger• “When the men of Israel saw that they were in distress” (1 Samuel 13:6) paints a vivid picture of an army whose courage evaporates the moment danger becomes visible. • Similar moments of collective fear appear in Exodus 14:10, where Israel “lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they were terrified,” and in Judges 6:1–2, where Midian’s oppression drove people “to make hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.” • God’s people have often faced situations that look hopeless to the natural eye. The test is whether faith will triumph over sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). because their troops were hard-pressed • The pressure was real: “Philistines assembled to fight Israel—three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops like the sand on the seashore” (1 Samuel 13:5). • “Hard-pressed” conveys relentless, squeezing opposition. Compare 2 Corinthians 4:8: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed.” Israel at this point felt only the first half of that statement. • Deuteronomy 20:1 had already promised victory when facing “horses and chariots and an army larger than yours,” but fear drowned out memory. the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets • Caves offered quick cover; thickets gave camouflage. Fear looks for whatever shelter is nearest, even if temporary. • Judges 6:2 records the same strategy under Midian. God’s people can fall into repeated cycles of panic when they forget prior deliverances. • Contrast this with Psalm 27:5, where David says, “He will hide me in His shelter.” Earthly hideouts can’t replace the refuge found in the Lord. among the rocks • Rocks provided crevices and high ground, but Scripture repeatedly urges looking beyond the physical rock to the Rock who saves. • “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer” (Psalm 18:2). Israel was clinging to mere stones instead of to the living God who gave those stones their stability. • Jonathan, in the very next chapter, steps out from the rocks in faith (1 Samuel 14:4–13), showing the contrast between hiding and trusting. and in cellars and cisterns • A cellar or cistern represents the lowest, darkest hiding place—out of sight but also out of action. • Jeremiah 38:6 shows how grim a cistern can be: “There was no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.” Desperation drives men into holes that were never meant for refuge. • 2 Kings 25:4 pictures King Zedekiah fleeing through hidden passages when judgment fell. Secret escape routes do not solve spiritual problems. summary 1 Samuel 13:6 captures the panic of a people who, instead of leaning on the God who had repeatedly delivered them, scrambled for cover in whatever holes they could find. The verse warns that fear grows when eyes stay on the size of the threat rather than on the faithfulness of the Lord. True safety is never in caves, rocks, or cisterns, but in the unshakable refuge of God Himself. (6) Saw that they were in a strait.--It was evidently no ordinary Philistine foray or invasion which the Israelites had to make head against. The tradition preserved by Josephus tells us that a host of foreign allies had joined the Ph?nician armies in this war. This accounts for the great numbers alluded to in the text: "People as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude" (1Samuel 13:5). The hearts of the as yet undisciplined Hebrews sank at the tidings of such an invasion. And in high places.--The word in the original Hebrew is not the same as the one usually rendered "high places" for prayer and sacrifice. The word here signifies towers. It is the same word which in Judges 9:46; Judges 9:49 is translated "a hold." In the Speaker's Commentary it is suggested that it was applied to a particular kind of tower which was the work of the old Canaanite inhabitants, and which remained as ruins in the time of Saul.Verse 6. - The people were distressed. Literally, were squeezed, pressed together, were in difficulties. The Philistines had so promptly answered Saul's challenge, that the Israelites, forgetting their victory over Nahash, whose men, however, had probably very inferior arms to those worn by the Philistines, lost courage; and even the picked band of 2000 men dwindled to 600. As for the mass of the people, they acted with the most abject cowardice, hiding themselves in caves, of which there are very many in the limestone ranges of Palestine. David subsequently found safety in them when hunted by Saul. Also in thickets. The word as spelt here occurs nowhere else, nor do the versions agree as to its meaning. Most probably it signifies clefts, rifts or fissures in the rocks. The next word, rocks, certainly means precipitous cliffs; and thickets or thorn bushes would scarcely be placed between caverns and cliffs, both of which belong to mountains. In high places. This word occurs elsewhere only in Judges 9:46, 49, where it is rendered hold. But this meaning is not supported by the ancient versions, and it more probably signifies a vault or crypt, which better suits the hiding place next mentioned, pits, i.e. tanks, artificial reservoirs for water, with which most districts were well supplied in Palestine, even before its conquest by Israel. They were absolutely necessary, as the rains fall only at stated periods, and the chalky soil will not hold water; when dry they would form fit places for concealment.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Seeingרָאוּ֙ (rā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7200: To see that כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction they were ל֔וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew in danger צַר־ (ṣar-) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction their troops הָעָ֑ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock were hard-pressed, נִגַּ֖שׂ (nig·gaś) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5065: To drive, to tax, harass, tyrannize the men וְאִ֨ישׁ (wə·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc hid וַיִּֽתְחַבְּא֣וּ (way·yiṯ·ḥab·bə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide in caves בַּמְּעָר֤וֹת (bam·mə·‘ā·rō·wṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 4631: A cavern and thickets, וּבַֽחֲוָחִים֙ (ū·ḇa·ḥă·wā·ḥîm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2336: Briar, bramble, hook, ring, fetter among the rocks, וּבַסְּלָעִ֔ים (ū·ḇas·sə·lā·‘îm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5553: A craggy rock and in cellars וּבַצְּרִחִ֖ים (ū·ḇaṣ·ṣə·ri·ḥîm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6877: Perhaps excavation, underground chamber and cisterns. וּבַבֹּרֽוֹת׃ (ū·ḇab·bō·rō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well Links 1 Samuel 13:6 NIV1 Samuel 13:6 NLT 1 Samuel 13:6 ESV 1 Samuel 13:6 NASB 1 Samuel 13:6 KJV 1 Samuel 13:6 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 13:6 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 13:6 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 13:6 French Bible 1 Samuel 13:6 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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